This Week

NOVA Pride Festival

Saturday, October 3 (12:00-9:00 p.m. at Bull Run Special Events Center)

Volunteers are needed to staff the LRUCC booth and spread the word about Little River’s extravagant welcome at the NOVA Pride Festival. NOVA Pride www.novapride.org is a coalition-building organization with a mission to educate, advocate, and celebrate the LGBTQ Community of Northern Virginia and our straight allies. LRUCC will have a booth to spread the word of God’s love. Please sign-up today to staff the table, and to share the good news about LRUCC. Please sign up in person or online http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CAAAF23A64-nova.

2nd Annual NOVA Pride Multifaith Worship Service

Thursday, October 8

In celebration with the 2nd Annual NOVA Pride Festival, we are invited to share in a multi-faith celebration of worship on Thursday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. This service will be hosted at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Rd, Fairfax, VA 22124, with representation from diverse expressions of faith, including the UCC and Little River UCC. For more information, please contact the
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or
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.

Neighbors in Need Special Offering

Sunday, October 4

Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants. NIN will be collected along with our regular offering at both services on October 4. Look for a letter and special offering envelope in the mail soon. Donations may also be made online here or by using the Online Giving button at the bottom of this page.

Food Pantry Reminder

Sunday, October 4

This Sunday and every Communion Sunday (normally the first Sunday of every month), we invite your gifts of non-expired, non-perishable staple food items, which are placed in our church’s FISH (For Immediate Sympathetic Help) pantry and used to help the hungry in our community. Donations of non-expired, non-perishable foods, baby items, household cleaning supplies, and small toiletries are always welcome for the pantry. The following items are especially appreciated by our partner organizations:

baby formula and food, rice cereal

canned meats, chili, pastas fruits & vegetables

cereal, juice boxes, mac & cheese, pasta & sauces

disposable diapers, pull-ups and baby wipes and home cleaning supplies

New Member Information Sessions

Sunday, October 4 & November 1

Each year at this time, we reach out to those who have visited our church in worship, gatherings, and programs. We hope that your time spent with Little River UCC family has been memorable, and that you would consider learning more about the mission, vision, and ministry of our congregation.

We also know from past gatherings many people come and visit, and participate as “Friends” of the church for many years. This invitation goes out to you as well. Maybe you are feeling God’s gentle tug to share more deeply in the ministry of Little River.

In either case, you are invited to come and share in this year’s New Member Information Sessions. These gatherings will take place on Sunday afternoons on October 4 (1:30-3:00 p.m.) and November 1 (1:00-2:30 p.m.). The sessions are identical, so you don’t need to attend both of them. Childcare and light snacks will be provided.

These gatherings are offered to help familiarize you with the many faces of the ministry at Little River. We welcome you to learn more about our ministries. At the conclusion of the sessions, you are invited to join in membership with the congregation.

We hope to see you at these information sessions! If you have any questions about membership at Little River UCC, please call us at the church office. You can RSVP to the sessions by emailing
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.

Intersections: Sacred Conversation on Race

Sunday, October 4

We are a congregation founded and grounded in affirming all people regardless of race and ethnicity. To deepen the Sacred Conversation on Race and learn how race intersects with many justice issues, we will gather on Sunday, October 4 at 11:00 a.m. in Room 8 for prayer and thought on the continuing issues of racism.

Next Week

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, October 11

A congregational meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 11 at 11:00 a.m., following the 10:00 a.m. worship (please note that there will only be one worship service on that date). Principal business of the meeting will include: 1) A vote on the proposal to honor Reverend Dr. Verne Arens as Pastor Emeritus of Little River; 2) Discussion on the results of the Congregational Visioning Process; 3) Discussion of a proposal to change the governance of LRUCC by replacing the Chuch Council with a Governance Board and a Ministry Board. Please plan on attending! View the official Call to Meeting here.

Faith in Film: Reflect and Act

Sunday, October 11

Following Freedom Summer, you are invited to reflect and act. Join us from 12:30-2:00 p.m. in Room 8 to view a compilation of video clips about racial justice and mass incarceration, intermingled with discussion and reflection. Then share your voice with our local community leaders through an opportunity to write letters to your locally elected officials, the Chief of Police and the Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools.

More Church News

Remembering Loved Ones Recently Deceased

On November 1, we will offer prayers of thanksgiving for loved ones who have died during the past 12 months. We invite you to contribute the names of family members and close friends whose loss you mourn. Please call or email the church office, (703) 978-3060 or
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, with the name of the individual and your relationship to that person. Information will be collected through noon on Wednesday, October 28.

Annual Stewardship Campaign Underway

Check your mailboxes for this year's brochure, which includes a narrative budget describing the many ways that your pledge will impact our community, our neighbors, and the wider world. Please spend some time in careful consideration of your pledge prior to Consecration Sunday, October 25th. On that day, we will receive pledges at a single 10:00 a.m. service and then enjoy our fellowship with a pot luck brunch immediately following the service. All members, friends, and visitors are welcome to share in this celebration of abundant giving.

Bible Presentation Sunday

Each year, our congregation celebrates the growth of our younger friends as they journey in their life in faith. On Sunday, October 25 we will be presenting the SPARK Story Bible to our children entering Godly Play (age 3); and The Children’s Bible (NRSV) to our children currently in third grade. Parents, you will be receiving an email message in the coming weeks to verify your child’s personal information. If you do not receive this message by October 19, or have recently joined in the life of the congregation, please contact
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.

Church Tablecloths Running Low

Thank you so much for taking our tablecloths home for cleaning! Unfortunately, we seem to be missing quite a few and our supply is getting low. Would you take a moment to check around your home and if you do have any of the church’s tablecloths, please return them as soon as you can.

Save the Date

Fair Trade Postponed

Sunday, October 18

Fair Trade Sales would generally take place next Sunday, however, due to the Congregational Meeting, sales have been postponed until Sunday, October 18. Plan to stock up on fairly traded coffee, chocolate, and Palestinian olive oil between worship services.

The Potomac Association 2015 Fall Meeting

Saturday, October 24

Little River will be hosting the Potomac Association's Fall Meeting. At the meeting the group will:

Explore various roles and responsibilities of the Association, the Conference and the National Office and discuss some of the important work that is being done in these settings.

Receive reports from the officers of the Board of Directors, each Standing committee, and any other person or organization as requested by the Board of Directors.

Women's Book Group

Sunday, November 8

Please join the Little River women's Book Group as they discuss the long-time best seller Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline in Room 7 from 12:15 - 1:30 p.m. A long journey from home and the struggle to find it again form the heart of the intertwined stories that make up this moving novel. Kline illuminates a largely hidden chapter of American history, while portraying the coming-of-age of two resilient young women.

Welcoming Warmth: Coat Drive for Thrive DC

November

LRUCC is partnering with Thrive DC to provide coats for the homeless in Washington, DC. Do you have any coats in your closet that could warm someone in need this winter? A collection box will be available in the Narthex from the end of October through the month of November.

Church Council News

Minutes and more

Moderator-Elect Rob Peters is currently serving as Acting Moderator of Little River UCC. Please direct all questions for the Moderator to Rob at this time.